Same sex couples in civil partnerships who wish to convert to marriage will be able to do so without a fee for a year from December. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid laid draft regulations before Parliament confirming that the fee for converting from a civil partnership relationship to a marriage relationship will be waived for a limited one year period.

The General Registrar Office (GRO) celebrated an important birthday on 1st July – it is 175 years since the civil registration service began in England and Wales. Since that date every birth and death has had to be registered by a local registrar.

One-in-three families in Ireland departs from the traditional model of a married couple both of whom are in their first marriage. This is one of many findings to emerge from the most detailed statistical study to-date of the structure of Irish families, which has recently been published.

Rising divorce rates in China, and an increasing tendency for women to marry for materialistic reasons, has prompted the Chinese Supreme Court to make a controversial reinterpretation of the country's marriage laws, reports the Telegraph.

A report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has shown that almost all OECD countries have seen a rise in poverty levels amongst households with children. The Doing Better for Families report calls for governments to ensure they have family support policies in place which protect the most vulnerable.

Whether married or cohabiting with a partner, the vast majority of couples in the UK are happy in their relationship. Initial findings from a research project 'Understanding Society' show that around 90% of individuals who are living with a partner are happy with their relationship.

As part of its commitment to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB and T) people, the government has announced that religious buildings will be allowed to host civil partnership registrations.